Hi there, first let me say hello. I am the proudd new owner of a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 4x4 Off Road package and the 5.9L gas engine. I have very much enjoyed reading your posts and you guys really influenced me to buy this Ram. I have searched and searched re: this Brake light and ABS light being on once I go more than 40 MPH. I have found some answers, but let me tell you my problem. (BTW the dealer is fixing it for me, they just can't figure out what it is.) Here is my story, hopefully someone has an idea.

I bought the trucck and as I am leaving the dealership getting onto the freeway the ABS light and Brake light come on. I turn around and brought it back to the dealer (not a Dodge dealer, just used car lot). They said they will fix it. So they replaced the rear ABS speed sensor and said come pick it up. I picked it up and as soon as I got back to the freeway, the same thing happened again. So I brought it back and they said it needs a new ABS control module. So I left the truck and they installed a new ABS control module. I came back to test drive it and this time from the second you turn on the key, the ABS light starts flashing. And then when you hit 40MPH the ABS light and Brake light come on solid. So it actullay seems as though they have created more problems than they are trying to fix. I am bringing it back to them on Monday for them to try again, should I request that it be taken to a Dodge dealership? Does anyone know what the problem might be? The only thing I can think of is that the speed sensor to begin with was faulty ans they replaced it with another faulty unit, but what are the odds of that, and is there a way to test the unit? Sorry for rambling, this is just a big issue since I have owned the truck for a week now, and haven't driven further than 5 miles total! Do you think that it is just a lemon? Oh yeah, The transmission was just replaced with a new unit (by the P.O.) Is there something they could have done to the transmission to make this problem start?

I look forward to many years as a happy Dodge owner, I just need to get over this one hurdle.

Thanks
-Chris

 

Nobody has any ideas? I am just going to take it to the Dodge dealership and see if they can tell me anything. If anyone thinks of something though, please chime in.

Thanks
-Chris

 

I had a similar problem. The brake light comes on for one of three reasons:
1- Your parking brake is applied.
2- One of the brake systems has failed, usually noticed by a highly reduced braking ability.( leak, blown hose, etc.)
3- Abs module failure. Usually comes on in addition to the ABS light.

Dodge uses the rear ABS speed sensor to display your speed from 0 to 25 mph. From there the speed sensor in the trans takes over. If your speedo drops to 0 after reaching 25 mph or less, that usually means the back sensor in the rear is bad.

This is important: Anytime you replace the ABS module, you need to reflash the tire size code and rear gear ratio into the module. The dealer is the only one who can this, unless you know someone who has the $5000.00 (dodge,jeep,chrysler) diagnostic tool to do it for you. The module will not activate ( or work) unless this is done. It takes 10 - 20 mins to do. And should turn off the flashing (ABS) light. By the way the dealer charged me a $94.00 flat diagnostic fee to do it......
If the dealer replaced the module and didn't do this, I'd seriously reconsider not going back there again.

 

I had that happen to me, as well. As soon as I started it the ABS abd brake lights came on. A mechanic friend said to unhook the battery to let the ABS reset (?). No good. Finally, after driving it like that for six months or so, someone following me came up and said my brake lights weren't working!!! Replaced the brake light fuse (not the ABS, I'd already tried that) and voila` no more ABS/Brake light staying on. Just a thought.

 

Wow....Live and learn. I didn't know about that fuse. Good one. I just based my answer on something I encountered. I love this forum.....

 

Well, the problem turned out to be a serious one. Something in the rear end was broken, so they are replaceing the whole rear end. My new truck has 95,000 miles on it, but in the last month they have installed a new transmission, a new rear end, new speed sensor, and a new ABS control module. ALl I need now is a slight knock in the engine and I will have them replace that too! J/K The engine is strong and powerful. Thanks for the help guys, turned out they just needed to dig a little deeper to find out the problem

-Chris

 

wow, what a deal, (new rear end for free). I would have suggested the diff speed sensor or the tone ring inside the diff.

welcome to DF! how about some pics of your truck?

 

Sounds like your awfully lucky if a used car dealer is covering all that, I bet they lock the doors and throw up the "closed" sign next time they see a Ram pull on the lot!

 

I am lucky . . . BUT this is a really good used car lot, and this is the fourth car I have bought from them. They have really good prices and GREAT customer service. I was surprised they are covering all this work, but they want to keep me happy. The specialize in bank repos and auctions, so they still make a grip of cash, but they have always been good to me, so I keep going back. In fact, now that they are doing all this work, I am definitely a customer for life.

Steve00Ram360: I will post an official Hi thread with pics once I get the truck back, thanks for the warm welcome.

-Chris